Ohio Assisted Living Costs & Statistics

About 4.3 million Ohio residents are age 50 or older, which is more than the number of people of any age living in states like Oregon, Oklahoma and Utah. By sheer numbers, Ohio has one of the biggest populations of older adults, but how does the state compare on other measures related to the status and quality of life of seniors?

Not only does the state have one of the highest overall numbers of older adults, but the percentage of people 50 and older is above average (37.3 percent vs. 35.3 percent for the entire U.S.). Ohio’s median age is also higher than the overall U.S. median age (39.5 years compared to 38.5 years).

But while Ohio may be among the states with the highest rates of older people and a relatively high median age, there are signs that the state isn’t aging as quickly as many other states. For example, while the median age has risen in Ohio, it’s gone up by a much slower rate than the nation’s median age — 1.5 percent, compared to 2.7 percent for the entire United States.

Ohio's Senior Living Costs

Ohio boasts a housing index of 88.40, making it one of the more affordable states to retire in the United States. You can get a one bedroom apartment in Ohio for an average of $578 a month (U.S. average being $825 a month), or a two bedroom apartment for an average of $746 a month (U.S. average is $1027 a month). Compared to the national average, Ohio's home health care, adult day care, assisted living, and nursing home care costs are relatively affordable.

Seniors living in their own Ohio home needing assistance with housekeeping and errands may take advantage of home health care services which go for an average of $4,004 a month.

Adult day care centers are available throughout Ohio for seniors who need to stay at a supervised facility while their caregivers are busy tending to their other obligations. For an average cost of $1,224 a month, seniors are able to partake in social activities and take advantage of health and therapeutic services as needed. Adult day care is ideal for older people who are mostly independent because it doesn't include round the clock care.

There are also plenty of assisted living facilities throughout Ohio for elders requiring more help with their everyday tasks, along with personal care and health services. Staying at an assisted living facility in this state costs on average $4,178 a month.

Lastly, seniors who require 24/7 care and supervision may benefit from staying at a nursing home, where they'll receive housing, personal care, medications as needed, skilled nursing care all day and night, and therapies and rehabilitation. The cost for a semi-private room in this state is roughly $6,798 a month, while a private room is about $7,604 a month.

Ohio's Living Options for Seniors

Seniors in Ohio have several living options to choose from depending on individual circumstances and needs: independent living, assisted living, memory care, or nursing home care. Learn more about each option below to determine which one best suits your lifestyle.

Independent Living

There are more than 600 independent living facilities available throughout Ohio. Seniors who are healthy, active, and don't require 24/7 nursing care generally prefer independent living or apartment living. There are plenty of 55+ or 65+ apartment communities, which typically come with attractive amenities like workout rooms, walking trails, pools and jacuzzis, meeting rooms, and more for residents to use. The average cost to stay at an independent living facility here ranges from $761 to $5,379 a month.

Assisted Living

Ohio is home to more than 1,140 assisted living facilities, all of which provide seniors with attentive caregivers, healthcare, and access to local activities and social opportunities. Residents of assisted living facilities get staff assistance with housekeeping duties, laundry, transportation, meal services, and 24-hour staffing to ensure safety. It costs anywhere from $1,385 to $9,780 a month to stay at an assisted living facility in Ohio. The most affordable facilities are located around the Mansfield area, while the more expensive ones are found in the Cleveland – Elyria metropolitan area.

Memory Care

Memory care facilities focus on seniors with dementia-related ailments. From Alzheimer's to cognitive dysfunction, memory care facilities will lessen the frustrations of memory loss. There are 791 memory care facilities in Ohio, at an average annual cost of $69,086. Cleveland and Elyria have the highest average cost in the state for memory care, at a high average of $9,554 per month, or $84,061 a year. Mansfield has the lowest cost average, coming up to $64,400 a year.

Nursing Homes

Ohio has a whooping 2,511 senior living providers, providing ample options for all types of care a senior may need if choosing to live in this state. This may sound like a lot, but they are all needed as Ohio's 65+ seniors are expected to comprise 22% of the state's population by 2030.

Adult daycare centers in Ohio provide three meals a deal, professional administration of medications and healthcare, group activities to ward off loneliness and boredom, and assistance with day to day tasks like personal grooming. Some daycare centers take a very holistic approach as well. The average cost is $13,520 a year, with the most expensive adult daycare centers located around the Columbus metropolitan area and averaging $19,500 a month. Canton-Massillon areas have the largest concentration of lower cost adult daycare centers, at an average cost of $11,700 a month.

As for hospices, there are 217 in the state to provide comfort and guidance to terminally ill seniors. Hospice care can be done in a facility or at home. Staff will help seniors figure out how to use their Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance to cover hospice care costs. Hospices provide support to all aspects of life, from chaplain services for spiritual support, medication to lessen any physical pain, and counseling for emotional support.

Respite care facilities are best for seniors after a surgery or when their primary caregiver needs a break or more time off to get through their other responsibilities. There are 930 respite care facilities in the state so there should always be some assistance available. The average cost of respite care is $75,942 a year, but respite care can be as short term as a single day or a few hours a week.